Why do I want so much to be a fighter pilot? Ask me when I get back =)
Why I need to be a fighter pilot?
Why I need to be a fighter pilot?
1. That the faith of my friends and family will be strengthened.
I’m not sure if its us Asians or us, the more conservative Christians who have pessimism in our blood but I can’t help but notice that when one encourages another, I often hear the phrase “Even if the Lord doesn’t bring to pass what you’ve praying for, He has a purpose and His ways are not our ways.” being spoken or something along that line. I’m not saying that it is wrong or false. It is definitely true and it definitely puts the situation in perspective and balance, and prepares the person to accept the will of God, which in this case would be the undesired outcome. Even I’m guilty of this kind of encouragement. I’m not saying that we omit it totally but let’s not be too hasty to give this kind of encouragement.
Personally, having received this kind of encouragement often, instead of being encouraged, I am oft times discouraged. It is no doubt that this is a good reminder that whatever comes, I must accept it for it is the perfect will of God. However, I’m discouraged because I get the sentiment and feel that the person does not dare to commit to saying or believing that God is able and will bring it to pass. It just gives me the feeling that in our mind’s eye, the God that we believe in is rather less able and powerful than the powerful, almighty God who divided the red sea, brought down fire from heaven and created the heavens and the earth whom we learn and read about in the Bible. Or maybe in our mind’s eye, the God we believe in is less willing to do great and mighty works these days as compared to the days of old. It doesn’t help especially when the person being encouraged is already in a difficult situation. It’s sort of as good as saying to him “give it up lah.” I am not accusing or being judgmental but rather, I’m speaking for myself. I am guilty of this. That’s the reason that comes up when I really search deep down why I give those “kinds” of encouragement sometimes. It’s very often that we tend to belittle God in difficult circumstances and so quickly waiver in our faith in God.
Before we give such an encouragement, let us take that opportunity to reflect and search ourselves for the real reason why we are giving it. Is it because of the reason, which is written in the previous paragraph or is it because we want to truly remind, bring perspective and balance to the circumstance and encourage that brethren that regardless, God is sovereign. I pray that our reason would be the latter.
I would like to urge everyone not to be so quick in giving this “kind” of encouragement but rather give more “positive” encouragements first. An e.g. would be “lean not unto thy understanding but in all thy ways commit it unto the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart.” And encouragements must definitely be according to the word of God.
Personally, having received this kind of encouragement often, instead of being encouraged, I am oft times discouraged. It is no doubt that this is a good reminder that whatever comes, I must accept it for it is the perfect will of God. However, I’m discouraged because I get the sentiment and feel that the person does not dare to commit to saying or believing that God is able and will bring it to pass. It just gives me the feeling that in our mind’s eye, the God that we believe in is rather less able and powerful than the powerful, almighty God who divided the red sea, brought down fire from heaven and created the heavens and the earth whom we learn and read about in the Bible. Or maybe in our mind’s eye, the God we believe in is less willing to do great and mighty works these days as compared to the days of old. It doesn’t help especially when the person being encouraged is already in a difficult situation. It’s sort of as good as saying to him “give it up lah.” I am not accusing or being judgmental but rather, I’m speaking for myself. I am guilty of this. That’s the reason that comes up when I really search deep down why I give those “kinds” of encouragement sometimes. It’s very often that we tend to belittle God in difficult circumstances and so quickly waiver in our faith in God.
Before we give such an encouragement, let us take that opportunity to reflect and search ourselves for the real reason why we are giving it. Is it because of the reason, which is written in the previous paragraph or is it because we want to truly remind, bring perspective and balance to the circumstance and encourage that brethren that regardless, God is sovereign. I pray that our reason would be the latter.
I would like to urge everyone not to be so quick in giving this “kind” of encouragement but rather give more “positive” encouragements first. An e.g. would be “lean not unto thy understanding but in all thy ways commit it unto the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart.” And encouragements must definitely be according to the word of God.
I hope and pray that through this event, the faith of my family and friends would be strenghtened and that we'll all be reminded that the God we believe in is the same almighty God of Moses and Elijah; the same God who brought the universe into existence.
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” - Jer 33:3
2. That my friend(s) might not mock the faith that I have in the God of this universe and really see the glory of the Lord through this.
I’ve often told my friend(s) that if the Lord wills, regardless of the situation, I will go to the fighters and it’s not that my friend has outwardly mocked that faith that I have but with my interactions with him, I get the feeling that he would, if I do not go to the fighters.
That my friends might see how the Lord has overcame for me the many odds and uncertainties that were in my path simply because of the simple faith I have in the true and living God. So that my friends would see how real the God I believe in is.
“That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.” - Psa 83:18
3. That I might declare to the people around me the wondrous works, abundant grace, mighty sovereign hands of God. In essence, that the glory of God may be shown and declared.
As mentioned in my blog sometime ago, the odds and uncertainties that are in my way are many. Just to mention two, my age and eyesight is not in my favour for fighters.
And even as I train here, some more odds and uncertainties have surfaced. Just to mention a few, I’m not one of those who are born, natural flyers. I did have a fair share of tough and rough patch in my training. But the grace and strength of God has been sufficient and has brought me thus far.
And even as my course has reduced from 18 to a small number of 9, I would expect the slots for fighters to reduce. If I was 4th in the course of 18 or even 16, statistically speaking, my chances of qualifying for fighters is higher than when I’m 4th in a course of 9. If God intended for me to go to fighters, the latter would be a better way. Why do I say that? It is because it would more clearly and convincingly show that it is God’s sovereign mighty hand alone that has guided me and brought me to the fighters. If it was the former i.e. 4th in a course of 16, people can attribute it to my hard work and making it there by my own effort. But if it was the latter, i.e. 4th in a course of 9, statistically speaking, it is already to my disadvantage, and so it would convincingly show that God alone is the one who got me to the fighters by His mighty hands. God’s name would be glorified.
“Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.” - 1Ch 16:24
4. That my faith may be strengthened.
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” - Jer 33:3
2. That my friend(s) might not mock the faith that I have in the God of this universe and really see the glory of the Lord through this.
I’ve often told my friend(s) that if the Lord wills, regardless of the situation, I will go to the fighters and it’s not that my friend has outwardly mocked that faith that I have but with my interactions with him, I get the feeling that he would, if I do not go to the fighters.
That my friends might see how the Lord has overcame for me the many odds and uncertainties that were in my path simply because of the simple faith I have in the true and living God. So that my friends would see how real the God I believe in is.
“That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.” - Psa 83:18
3. That I might declare to the people around me the wondrous works, abundant grace, mighty sovereign hands of God. In essence, that the glory of God may be shown and declared.
As mentioned in my blog sometime ago, the odds and uncertainties that are in my way are many. Just to mention two, my age and eyesight is not in my favour for fighters.
And even as I train here, some more odds and uncertainties have surfaced. Just to mention a few, I’m not one of those who are born, natural flyers. I did have a fair share of tough and rough patch in my training. But the grace and strength of God has been sufficient and has brought me thus far.
And even as my course has reduced from 18 to a small number of 9, I would expect the slots for fighters to reduce. If I was 4th in the course of 18 or even 16, statistically speaking, my chances of qualifying for fighters is higher than when I’m 4th in a course of 9. If God intended for me to go to fighters, the latter would be a better way. Why do I say that? It is because it would more clearly and convincingly show that it is God’s sovereign mighty hand alone that has guided me and brought me to the fighters. If it was the former i.e. 4th in a course of 16, people can attribute it to my hard work and making it there by my own effort. But if it was the latter, i.e. 4th in a course of 9, statistically speaking, it is already to my disadvantage, and so it would convincingly show that God alone is the one who got me to the fighters by His mighty hands. God’s name would be glorified.
“Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.” - 1Ch 16:24
4. That my faith may be strengthened.
“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety [deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory] is of the LORD.” - Pro 21:31
“For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.” - Psa 44:6 - 7
... And yet not my will but Yours be done.
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